Nigeria is positioning itself to achieve nearly four gigawatts (4GW) of solar manufacturing capacity per annum through strategic partnerships, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
Speaking at the Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) in Abuja, organised by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Adelabu said the initiative aligns with the federal government’s drive to industrialise the energy sector while deepening local content and value creation.
He noted that the country’s renewable energy push is transitioning “from energy access to energy industrialisation,” driven by domestic innovation and the strengthening of local manufacturing capabilities.
“The Nigeria First Policy reflects a determination to ensure that the next generation of clean energy technologies—from solar panels to battery storage systems—proudly carry the label ‘Made in Nigeria’,” Adelabu said.
The minister emphasised that the government’s broader strategy spans legislation, policy reforms, infrastructure development, and capacity building to enhance efficiency and attract private capital into the electricity value chain.
REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, described the forum as a step toward reversing Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported photovoltaic (PV) panels and renewable energy equipment.
“The future of Nigeria will not be imported,” Aliyu said, stressing that building local manufacturing capacity is key to turning the nation’s comparative advantage in renewable resources into a competitive strength.
He added that the REA is committed to facilitating the domestication of renewable energy technologies to ensure long-term sustainability and economic competitiveness.
At the forum, REA signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several state governments to accelerate renewable energy development across the country.
